Emmanuel Latte Lath’s late header ensured Middlesbrough returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United in the Sky Bet Championship.
Captain Luke Ayling made a superb goal-line clearance from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s shot in the first half to keep his side in the game and Boro quickly took charge with chances from Ben Doak and Riley McGree.
The hosts continued to dominate in the second half and eventually found the breakthrough in the 80th minute when Latte Lath headed into the bottom corner.
Boro are now only two points away from the play-off places, while a disappointing return to the Riverside for Chris Wilder sees his side slip into fifth.
Middlesbrough tested the Blades when George Edmundson had a half-volley deflected over the crossbar, but the first real chance of the game fell to the visitors 18 minutes in when Callum O’Hare had a curling effort pushed behind by Seny Dieng.
The visitors caused problems again in the 27th minute when a great move saw Rak-Sakyi’s low strike cleared off the line by Ayling and Boro instantly responded by charging up the pitch, where Doak had a shot blocked before McGree’s low effort was held by Michael Cooper.
Boro began to threaten with Doak at the forefront again. His shot was saved by Cooper and Tommy Conway was unable to tuck home the rebound.
They came close again when a move down the left flank saw McGree roll a menacing pass across the box, but the Blades cleared before Doak could reach it.
Boro started the second half well and Doak continued to influence the game, firing a cross into the box which flicked off Conway and the visitors pounced on the rebound to storm up the field, where Kieffer Moore’s shot was deflected behind.
Dieng made a solid save to hold Rak-Sakyi’s low effort, but Boro were soon on the attack again when Doak tapped the ball in to Finn Azaz, who managed to pass out wide to McGree and his strike was clawed away at the near post.
The hosts had another great chance for an opener moments later when Azaz played a tidy pass in to Conway, whose close-range effort was blocked and Hayden Hackney then had a tame shot cleared.
A quick break for the Blades saw Rak-Sakyi’s effort bounce off Edmundson before Alfie Gilchrist’s powerful strike from distance was tipped over by Dieng.
Boro found the breakthrough in the 80th minute when Azaz floated a cross in to Latte Lath and the substitute powered a header into the bottom-right corner just three minutes after being brought on.
The Blades nearly levelled minutes later when Rhian Brewster sent a dangerous cross into the box, but Edmundson made an important clearance to send the ball over the bar.
Aidan Morris came close to wrapping the game up when his effort sailed over before Cooper saved Doak’s strike from a tight angle.
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
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